Cambodian Halal Task Force Completes Visit to Kuala Lumpur

High-Level Delegation of Halal Production Development

Led by H.E. Chhuon Dara, Minister attached to the Prime Minister of Cambodia, the delegation included prominent representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MoEF), Ministry of Commerce (MoC), Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), General Department of Customs, and the General Department of Taxation, along with private sector stakeholders. The primary objectives of this visit were to engage in meaningful consultative meetings and explore Malaysia’s advanced halal ecosystem, production facilities, and industrial parks.

Consultative Meetings with Malaysian Agencies

On July 19, the consultative meeting featured presentations by representatives from key Malaysian government agencies, including Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM), Halal International Selangor (HIS), and Matrade. The event also saw participation from the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) and Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), with over 100 representatives from the Malaysian halal industry in attendance.

Oknha Tan Khee Meng, President of MBCC, highlighted the long-standing successful history of Malaysian investments in Cambodia and emphasized the new opportunities under the dynamic leadership of the Cambodian government. He pointed out that the development of halal production and SEZs in Cambodia offers promising avenues for Malaysian investors.

Strategic Commitments and Collaborative Opportunities

In his keynote address, H.E. Chhuon Dara expressed deep appreciation to the Malaysian Halal Authority and the private sector for their participation. He reiterated the Cambodian government’s strong commitment to developing the halal economy within the SEZ framework, a commitment reaffirmed during a bilateral meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in February 2024.

H.E. Chhuon Dara invited Malaysian halal industry players to invest and collaborate with the Cambodian government, stressing the mutual benefits of such partnerships. He emphasized the Cambodian government’s openness to constructive feedback and suggestions to develop the halal economy under the SEZ framework.

Comprehensive Presentations and Key Insights

The consultative meeting included detailed presentations by Cambodian government delegates from the Ministry of Commerce, CDC, the General Department of Customs, and the General Department of Taxation. These presentations provided Malaysian investors with a thorough understanding of the SEZ background in Cambodia, investment and tax incentives, and customs and taxation rules.

JAKIM, HIS, and Matrade representatives offered the Cambodian delegates a comprehensive overview of the halal certification ecosystem, global and regional views on the halal economy, and the significant GDP growth potential driven by the global demand for halal products.

Site Visits and Practical Insights

On July 20, the Cambodian delegates visited Beryl’s Chocolate, Malaysia’s largest halal chocolate factory and exporter. This visit provided valuable insights into the practical aspects of halal production and certification, essential for Cambodia’s halal economy development.

Subsequently, the delegation visited the Port Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ) and its halal industrial park. The delegates received detailed briefings on the infrastructure, import, and export procedures, and operational logistics of a halal industrial park, enhancing their understanding of halal production development.

The visit concluded successfully, with the Cambodian delegation gaining invaluable insights and frameworks for developing Cambodia’s halal economy under the SEZ framework. The Cambodian Inter-Ministerial Task Force is optimistic about future collaboration and investment from Malaysian halal industry players, which promises mutual benefits for both countries.

MBCC’s President, Oknha Tan, commended the proactive efforts of the Cambodian Inter-Ministerial Task Force, led by H.E. Chhuon Dara, in organizing the study mission and engaging with key halal regulators and industry players in Malaysia. He expressed confidence that the shared knowledge and constructive feedback from Malaysian experts will significantly contribute to the development of the halal system under the SEZ framework in Cambodia.

This collaboration is expected to accelerate Cambodia’s ability to tap into the vast global markets for halal products, positioning the country as a key player in the international halal industry. With these advancements, Cambodia is set to enhance its halal production capabilities, attract more investments, and drive sustainable economic growth.

This strategic initiative underscores the importance of international collaboration in promoting halal production development and economic growth, ensuring that Cambodia can achieve its goals of creating a robust and sustainable halal economy.